Why wait for your customers to have a special occasion, when you can create one for them to celebrate at your restaurant? With the fall season officially in swing and everyone back to their routine after the summer holidays, October is a perfect month to breathe a little magic into the daily routine and attract new and familiar faces through your restaurant doors. With plenty of exciting food and drink holidays to celebrate in this month, here are some you’ll want to add to your marketing calendar right away.
October 1 – Pumpkin Spice Day
Pumpkin spice isn’t only for lattes at Starbucks, and here’s your chance to prove it. One of the most beloved flavours of fall will certainly have a warm welcome by your restaurant visitors. From infused coffees, to pumpkin flavoured cocktails and pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon butter (yuuuum!) – there’s very little that can go wrong by introducing these items to your menu. Extra points for hosting a fall party to launch your limited-time pumpkin inspired menu and celebrate the seasonal craze that we are all a little guilty of.
October 4 – National Taco Day
Tacos are a certified crowd-pleaser, so if you still don’t have October 4th circled on your calendar – go ahead and do it. With a build-your-own taco bar being the centrepiece of your Mexican inspired fiesta, you are guaranteed to make a lasting impression on your customers and bring a little spice to the first Friday of the month. Feature different proteins, toppings and sauces to appeal to different taste buds, and consider special offers on unbeatable drink pairings such as margaritas and Mexican beers to further enhance the ambiance.
October 14 – National Dessert Day
Whether you are running a brunch spot, a sophisticated restaurant or a casual dinner – National Dessert day is an easy one to incorporate as part of your marketing efforts. From top-sellers to new, decadent creations – use this occasion to encourage your guests to indulge just a little. To take it up a notch, you can also intensify the impact of your event, by running a social media campaign, encouraging customers to share photos of their desserts tagging your restaurant for a chance to win a free dessert on their next visit.
October 16 – World Food Day
Looking for an opportunity to put your restaurant’s values at the forefront? World Food Day celebration is certainly a must. As the world celebrates culinary diversity and food security, there’s a myriad of ways that you as a business can assert your restaurant’s CSR values Whether you are inviting your guests for an international feast, or running a pop up at a local food festival, consider putting a part of your profits to help organisations that are active in combating hunger around the world.
October 17 – National Pasta Day
Autumn is for comfort, and what says comfort better than a warm bowl of pasta as the temperatures keep dropping? Why not host an in-house pasta making workshop, where all guests can learn how to recreate their favourites from scratch and make forever memories with their families and friends? Consider also reviewing your pasta specials, such as house-made ravioli, spaghetti with unique sauces, or seasonal pasta dishes featuring fall ingredients like butternut squash to really wow your guests.
October 20 – National Champagne Day
What says class and elegance better than champagne? October 20th is a perfect opportunity to add a little flair to your establishment and pair it with appetisers or small plates for a full experience. But no need to stick only to the classics. Experiment away with champagne-based cocktails for a more fun and relaxed atmosphere and don’t forget to offer some discounts to attract customers looking for a special night out.
October 31 – Halloween
Is it even October, unless we celebrate the ‘tick-or-treat’ day? Halloween has been beloved by marketeers across industries, and restaurants are absolutely no exception to this rule. From Halloween themed food, to costume contests and spooky decorations – let your imagination run wild and free when organising a special fun and eerie evening for your guests.
Turn your newcomers into regulars!
Celebrating together is a great way to bring forward new faces to your restaurant, but the real question is how can you turn them into your regulars? With Tableo, you can leverage the power of an online reservation system to make sure that this conversion is as swift and efficient as possible.
Keep track of your first-time dinners directly from Tableo’s interface. Train your staff on providing additional care and assistance on the night for those guests that are still unfamiliar with your establishment and menu.
Encourage guests to sign up to your restaurant email list to keep in the loop with the upcoming events.
Send over personalised vouchers for their visit to encourage repeat business directly through Tableo.
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Hanna Yerega is a freelance copywriter and a powerhouse on social media, where she combines her knack for compelling writing with a masterful grasp of digital platforms. Known for her exceptional organisation skills, she handles multiple projects with unparalleled precision. Hanna is deeply passionate about not-for-profit initiatives, using her talents to amplify their messages and drive meaningful engagement.
